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Everything You Need To Know About Car Fog Light

What Is Fog Light?

The fog lamps and the front-facing fog lights are a type of automotive headlight which is designed in such a way that it can emit light in a bar-shaped beam. The beam is generally designed to have a sharp cut-off on top, and the actual lights would be generally installed low and would be aimed toward the ground at a sharp angle.

 

One can compare and contrast the position and orientation of fog lights with the high beam and low beam headlights so that it can be revealed exactly how different these seemingly similar devices are. The high beam as well as low beam headlights are aimed at a relatively shallow angle, which would allow them to illuminate the surface of the road a great distance in front of a vehicle. Now in contrast, the sharp angle would be utilized by the fog lights which would mean that they only illuminate the ground immediately in front of an automobile. 

It would be actually the bar-shaped beam of light, and then the way that beams would be aimed; it would make the fog lamp, rather than the colour.

Types Of Fog Light

Are you searching for the different types of fog lights? Then don’t worry! All you have to do is to have a look below and then all your doubts regarding its types would be cleared.

 

  • HID (white, yellow, or blue)
  • LED (white or blue)
  • Halogen (white, yellow, or blue) 

  1. HID Fog Light - If you are searching for maximum performance and longevity, then you should surely go with the HIDs as they would be the best choice. More light output is provided by the HIDs than any other type of bulb in the market. This specific bulb would come in around 10 different colour options.
  2. LED Fog Lights OPT 7 LED Fog Lights - If you want a leader in replacement LED headlight bulbs, then you should surely go with OPT7. There are a lot of size options in the LED conversion kit and it also produces a bright white light colour. A light colour is produced by these LED bulbs which would look the same to the HIDs, with some minor differences.
  3. Yellow Fog Lights - If you want yellow halogen headlights, then you should definitely go with this type of fog lights. A euro look would be provided by these headlights and at the same time they would discharge a very yellow light.
  4. Blue Halogen Fog Lights - These types of bulbs are generally higher on the colour temperature scale than most of the halogen bulbs, however, they would likely be close to white, and with a slight blue tint. If you want to go with blue, then increased visibility would be provided to you by going lower on the temperature scale.

How Do Fog Light Works?

Are you searching how do the fog light actually work? Then all you have to do is to have a look below and then you will be able to understand everything.

 

  • Now if you want to understand the working of the fig lights, then first of all it is essential to understand how fog works. Fog occurs regularly in many parts of the world, especially near large bodies of water. When the conditions would be correct, then small water droplets or ice crystals can start floating in the air, which would be just over the surface of the ground. Fog acts like a cloud and blocks our views, so in addition to that, the tiny water droplets or ice crystals would decrease the visibility even further by reflecting light that would hit them. It would make driving through fog with headlights, and especially high beams, which can sometimes be very frustrating and dangerous experience.
  • So, in this case, fog lights are a solution. It would take a different approach to all that water vapour hanging over the road. They would work in a lot of poor visibility conditions, which would include fog, mist, snow, and even blowing sand. If you want to see the road through the fog, then there would be factory-equipped fog lights which would be placed as low as reasonably possible, which is generally in the lower bumper cover on most of the latest automobiles. Irrespective of its appearance, the fog would not touch the ground, but it keeps on hovering about 18 inches over the surface. The low placement of the fog lights on an automobile would allow the vehicle light beam to hit the road without interference. When there would be a sharp cut off angle in the top of the light housing, then none of the beam would shine up to reflect off the fog, which would only illuminate the road ahead. When it would be angled downward, then there would be no reach of the headlights, but they would light up enough of the road which would be ahead for the drivers so that they can slowly make their way to their destination. Since the fog lights would not just reflect the light back, the other drivers on the road would be aware of your presence out on the road, which would make a second safety benefit.

Purpose Of Fog Light

The main purpose of the fog lights is to light the ground immediately in front of your car. It is mainly for very foggy conditions when you would be travelling very slowly because of limited visibility. It can sometimes be utilized in dark windy roads in the middle of the night. When there would be a sunny day, then you might not even notice your fog lights, and then there would be no purpose in using them during these times.

Symptoms Of Bad Fog Light

There are a few things which might cause your fog light to malfunction. Watch for the following symptoms if you suspect a bad fog light:

  • One of the most common symptoms of some issues with the fog light bulbs is fog lights which would be dim or flickering. If the fog lights would start to suddenly shine more dimly than normal or flicker when they would be turned on, then it would indicate that the light bulbs have been worn out. Other than not providing proper illumination, generally dim or flickering bulbs would also approach the end of their service life and would likely only have a short time before they would completely fail.
  • Fog Lights Do Not Turn On - One another symptom which would be related to the faulty fog/driving light bulbs would be that they would not start at all. If there would be some issue in the bulb or the filament might have worn out, then it would leave the fog lights without functioning bulbs. There would be a need to replace the faulty or non-functional bulbs so that the functionality to the fog lights can be restored.
  • The fog light bulbs would be the same as any other bulbs. The fog lights are generally used during specific driving conditions, so that’s why it is an essential feature which can increase the safety.

Tools Needed For Fog Light

Are you thinking of repairing your Fog Light on your own? Then there is one thing which you must have, that is the right tools needed for repairing your Fog Light. It is essential to make sure that you are outfitted with the right tools to get the work done properly. Have a look at some tools which you might need to get started with your repair work: -

 

Top Brands Of Fog Light

When it comes to vehicle owners choice, the brands really matter a lot. You might pay a premium for a specific car part brand, over time, as it has created a perception of quality, stability as well as trust. There are some leading car parts brands which are more than just products or services as they give rise to memories and emotions related with the quality. So have a look at some top brands for Fog Light.

Various Manufacturers 

Rigid Industries

Total Costs & Repair Times, Effort For Fog Light

There can be a number of factors due to which the failure in the Fog Light might be caused like poor car maintenance, some accident due to which the Fog Light might get damaged or there might be some flaws during the quality control check at the factory where the car was manufactured or sometimes it might happen because of not changing the Fog Light on time. Whatever the cause might be, the replacement of the Fog Light is not at all an easy process and if you want to achieve success, then it’s essential to have the correct tools. This is the reason why you should leave the replacement/repair procedure to the skilled mechanics who have the tools and expertise to successfully complete the task. If you want to substitute your fog light bulb, then it would generally range between $58 and $71. Talking about the work expenses, they would range between $36 and $46 and the parts would be valued somewhere in the range of $22 and $25.

How To Change Fog Light?

Do you want to change your fog light on your own? Then have a look at the steps of changing the fog light below:

 

  • First of all, it is very important to identify the fog light which requires replacement. Then the fog light should be turned on. Then you should walk around to the front of the car to see which one requires to the replaced.
  • Then the bulb should be removed from the back of the housing. Then the bulb should be gently turned counter-clockwise, and then the bulb should be pulled out from the retainer.
  • The electrical connector should then be disconnected from the fog bulb. The lock tab should then be squeezed and then the plug should be pulled gently from the bulb. 

Install the New Bulb into the Housing:

 

  • Firstly, plug the electrical plug back in and then the fog light housing should be put back into the right place. The screws should then be refastened and then cover should be pushed back on.
  • Then the fog lights should be switched to test whether everything is ready.
  • Now if the new bulb would work well, then it is essential to reinstall anything which has been removed during the process of disassembly. Now you have finished changing self-fix fog lights all by yourself. 

Other Minor Electrical Problems:

 

  • The blown fuse should then be changed
  • You can easily locate the right fuse box by reading the owner’s manual book.
  • The cover should then be removed from the fuse box.
  • A fuse puller should be used to remove the old fuse.
  • The new one should then be replaced in the old one’s place. Just make sure that they would have the same amperage rating.
  • The fog lights should then be turned on to inspect the fuse.

Replace A Faulty Switch:

 

  • The instrument panel should then be searched around the switch, and then you should disassemble it.
  • The retaining screws which would hold the switch or take off the switch from the instrument panel should then be removed.
  • The wiring should then be pulled out gently. Then it is essential to inspect the condition of the wiring. Make sure to pull until the connector shows off.
  • The switch should then be unplugged from the connector.
  • Then the new switch should be plugged in.
  • The fog light should be switched to test.
  • Now if you find out that everything would be good, then the instrument panel should be reassembled back as before.
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John Framigllia
Technical Writer
Our technical writer is known for simplifying automotive parts and services. Intuitive with various vehicles and manufacturers, he knows how to simplify complicated problems.